An investigation has begun into the death of a contractor at Egbin Power Plc following an industrial accident during underwater maintenance operations at the plant in Lagos State. The management of the power firm confirmed the incident to The PUNCH on Thursday.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, led to the shutdown of operations at parts of the facility and the disconnection of the plant from the national grid.
Checks by our correspondent showed that Egbin generated zero megawatts on Wednesday and Thursday after security agents investigating the incident shut down the plant. SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the contractor, a diver engaged for underwater work inside the plant’s lagoon-based pump house, died after an accident during maintenance activities.
Sources told our correspondent that the diver was working inside the lagoon water pump system when a pump reportedly came on unexpectedly, trapping him in the impeller and leading to his death. Following the incident, operations in the affected section of the plant were suspended as safety protocols were activated, eventually resulting in a broader shutdown of the plant.
In a brief statement made available to our correspondent, the management of the company confirmed the incident, expressing sadness over the demise of the contractor.
Egbin Power Plc, Nigeria’s largest electricity generation plant with an installed capacity of 1,320MW, said emergency response procedures were immediately activated after the incident, while relevant authorities were notified.
The board and management of Egbin Power expressed deep sorrow and extended their heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the deceased. The firm added that it is cooperating with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident, noting that a full review is ongoing.
Egbin Power reaffirmed its commitment to safety, saying it remains focused on maintaining high health and safety standards across its operations for both staff and contractors.
“Egbin Power Plc acknowledges a tragic incident involving a contractor during underwater maintenance activities at its plant. The board and management of Egbin Power express deep sorrow and extend heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the deceased. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
“Immediately following the incident, established emergency response, safety, and reporting protocols were activated, and the relevant authorities were promptly notified. Egbin Power is cooperating with relevant law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders as part of ongoing efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. A thorough review of the situation is currently underway.
“Egbin Power remains firmly committed to the health, safety, and well-being of all personnel and contractors and to maintaining the highest standards across its operations,” the statement read.
Our correspondent reports that this is the first fatal accident recorded by a generation company in several months. According to reports by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, distribution companies have been responsible for fatalities recorded in the power sector in recent quarters.
Meanwhile, the shutdown of the Egbin plant has led to power outages in some locations.
